Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurs are the economic pioneers who turn scientific and technological breakthroughs into new business opportunities, driving investment and wages. Over the last quarter-century, companies less than five years old account for all of the nation's net job growth.

Encouraging entrepreneurial growth is a top priority for the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership - and these efforts are paying off.

Traditionally over-dependent on large industrial concerns, Central Indiana has made great strides towards a more diverse, innovation-driven economy. Money follows good ideas - Indiana has skyrocketed from 41st to 20th among states in venture investment per capita from 2008 to 2009, bucking national trends by growing investment through the recent recession.

Venture Capital

CICP's BioCrossroads initiative has raised nearly $150 million in dedicated venture capital for promising life sciences start-ups since 2003 through its Indiana Future Fund, Indiana Seed Fund, and INEXT Fund. TechPoint manages HALO, a network of angel investors that has directed more than $14 million in seed capital - the riskiest stage of start-up financing - into Hoosier high-tech companies since mid-2007.

Indiana also boasts a generous tax credit for venture investment - learn more here.

Entrepreneurial Expertise

Money isn't everything. First-time entrepreneurs also need wise counsel to navigate the complexities of commercializing new technologies, launching a business and finding their niche in the marketplace.

CICP's initiatives are also working to connect Hoosier entrepreneurs with the expertise they need to succeed. BioCrossroads has helped more than 250 young life sciences companies, with support ranging from basic business planning advice to intellectual property counsel and making connections with potential industry partners and funding sources.

TechPoint holds regular Entrepreneurial Bootcamp events across the state, featuring a proven ‘basic training' curriculum on launching and growing new companies.

University Partnerships

CICP recognizes the unique entrepreneurial power of Indiana's research universities, as major sources of innovation that can be commercialized into new business ventures. The Partnership has been a strong advocate for state investment in higher education research and programs like the 21st Century Research and Technology Fund, designed to take discoveries created on campus into the marketplace.

CICP supported Indiana University's fundraising and planning efforts leading to the launch of its downtown Indianapolis Emerging Technologies Center incubator in 2002 - sitting adjacent to the nation's second-largest medical school, the IUETC has become a powerhouse in launching new bioscience and high-tech companies.

CICP also sponsors an annual Commercialization Award with Purdue University, recognizing and helping fund the work of a Purdue faculty member whose research efforts are making a measurable impact on Indiana's economy.

Our TechPoint initiative has also formed a partnership with Ball State University in the new media marketing sector, seeking to leverage the commercial opportunities around the university's leadership in emerging media and digital marketing.

Government Reform